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Environmental Education Curriculum
Incorporating a "Green Schools" philosophy into your school's curriculum is
easier if you take advantage of 'off the shelf' materials that have been
developed in recent years. Here are some that might be helpful:
The
Aquatic Education Program, centered at the Nebraska Game & Parks
Commission's Aksarben Aquarium south of Gretna, provides materials and other
aides for teaching about Nebraska fish and other aquatic species. Fish trunks,
water chemistry test kits, and other materials are available on loan, and
written materials are available free for teachers. The Commission also
coordinates a youth fishing program, and the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium Education
Center is available free for school groups. Contact Andrea Faas (andrea.faas@nebraska.gov)
at Game & Parks for more information.
Project WET is designed to reach
children, parents, educators and communities of the world with water education.
Activity guides like Project WET, Wonders of Wetlands, and
Healthy Water, Healthy People help educators teach about a wide variety of
water-related topics. In Nebraska, Christina Hoyt at the Nebraska Statewide
Arboretum (choyt2@unl.edu) is the
coordinator contact for Project WET.
Project WILD is a wildlife
focused conservation education program for K-12 educators and their students. It
is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs
among K-12 teachers. Curriculum guides are available for Project WILD and
Project WILD Aquatic materials. Lindsay Rogers (lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov).
at the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission is the contact for
Project WILD in Nebraska.
Project Learning Tree uses the forest
as a window on the world to increase students' understanding of our environment;
stimulate critical thinking; develop an ability to make informed choices on
environmental issues; and instill in students a commitment to take responsible
action. Christina Hoyt at the University of Nebraska (choyt2@unl.edu)
is the primary Project Learning Tree contact in Nebraska.
The
Leopold Education Project was
developed by Pheasants Forever as a land ethic curriculum built on the writings
and teachings of noted conservationist Aldo Leopold. The curriculum uses the
writings of Leopold with hands-on activities to help students increase their
appreciation for land stewardship. Christine Jacobsen at the Papio-Missouri
Natural Resource District (cjacobsen@papionrd.org)
is the state coordinator for Nebraska.
Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary |
